nfl losers from week 1
I will personally break down the results from NFL 2022 season week 1 and decide on four losers based on scores, game performance, rookie standouts, injuries, and more.
Greenbay Packers
This first game vs. the Vikings was deja vu for the Packers who lost in a similar fashion on last season’s opener to the Saints, 33 to 3. Their opponent Vikings performed extremely well but bad execution and mistakes by the Packers were the deciding factors. On the opening play of the game, rookie Christian Watson was open what it would have been for a 75-yard touchdown but Watson wasn’t able to catch it. At the end of the first half, on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line, running back AJ Dillon got stopped and couldn't score. In addition to the mistakes that the Packers made, wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings Justin Jefferson terrorized the Packers’ secondary throughout the game. He ended up with nine receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns, within the nine receptions he made five of them were caught of longer than 15 yards. The injuries were a key part of this loss as well, having both tackles and Elton Jankins and David Bakhtiari as well as their #1 receiver Allen Lazard all out for the game, felt like Rodgers was under constant pressure. I’m sure the Packers will bounce back, they are on their way to face the rival Bears at home at Lambeau Field.
2. Arizona Cardinals
The duo of quarterback Kyler Murray and head coach Kliff Kingsbury head into their fourth year and there are still some questions in the air. The Cardinals were defeated by the Kansas Chiefs 44-21, it was Murray’s first game after he sighed a brand new $230.5 million contract extension with the Cardinals despite the roadblocks both parties had prior to signing an extension. “...we didn’t execute in any phase and they played at a high level.” says coach Kingsbery. In week1, Murray completed 34 passes and completed 22 of them for 193 yards. Although the suspension of star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the offensive line not holding Murray much protection throughout the game hurt the Cardinals' offense. At the same time, Murray looked confused by the defensive looks that the Chiefs’ defense is giving during the game which lead to sacks and batted passes. Since Hopkins is suspended for multiple games, Murray and Kingsbury need to win games without their star receiver that they have quite never proven yet.
3. New England Patriots
Shocking, disbelief, or disappointment. Pick whatever word to choose the current state of the Patriots Fans that lost against the Miami Dolphins 20-7. The offense couldn’t gain momentum for the entire game and the defense let everything the Dolphins wanted to do. The highest receiver with the most receiving yards recorded in this game was Jakobi Myers for only 55-yards and four receptions. On the other hand, Dolphins had three players who had four or more receptions. Davante Parker, a former Dolphins standout who currently plays for the Patriots only had two receptions for nine yards, a rough start for him. One of the only positive takeaways from this game for the Pats would be their offensive line, especially for pass protection looked better than ever. Despite some personnel switching on the offensive line, the rookie guard Cole Strange allowed only one pressure throughout the game. Contrary to pass blocking, run blocking for the Pats' O-line was below average and still needs a lot of work including the rest of the team.
4. Los Angels Rams
Tough loss from the last year’s Superbowl champs. I think there are two key losing pieces from last year’s Rams team that cost this game which are last year’s Rams Offensive Coordinator Kevin O’Connel and veteran Left Tackle Andrew Whitworth. As much as the Bills' defense played lights out, the Rams had struggles with throwing the ball down the field and their ineffective run game made the Rams tough to score. Nevertheless, Keven O’Connel who was the key part of the Rams’ success last year became a head coach for the Minnesota Vikings which played outstanding against the Packers in week 1. Maybe the departure of Kevin O’Connel might have been more significant than people speculate. The Rams' offensive line was also a huge problem in this game which leads to the departure of Hall of Fame tackle Andrew Whitworth who retired last season. The line gave up seven sacks to the Bills as well a 48% pressure rate is the line’s worst performance since 2016. It will be interesting to see how the Rams can bounce back from this week 1 loss.
